With Love, God

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

- Matthew 7:7

A verse that exists within the filing folder of my memories, labeled: 'Bible Verses I Was Encouraged to Memorize in Sunday School Class.' If you grew up in the Church, you were probably encouraged to memorize this one, too. And if you didn't grow up going to Sunday school, you're probably still familiar with the phrase "Ask and you shall receive".

At first glance, and quite frankly, the human-minded, convenient interpretation of this verse depicts that if you simply ask God for something, anything, He will give it to you.

If you want it, it's yours.

Right then, immediately.

Just like that magical Amazon order, you placed this morning.

Well, while the truth is that God is a giving and good Father that listens to our needs, hears our cries, and understands the desires of our hearts, the lesson in this verse is much deeper than God's divine goodness.

If you're anything like me (well, human), you've probably found yourself in a season of life that wrecks you. And as you dwell there in your wreckage, you fall to your knees, and in the humble manner of a child, you ask God for something. Something very specific.

Maybe you've asked Him for healing in a certain area of your heart, or physical healing over a family member or a friend.

Maybe you've asked Him for acceptance into your dream university, a job that brings fulfillment, or a spouse that loves Him, too.

Maybe you've asked for a child. A friend. A support system.

Maybe you've asked for strength in place of your weakness or faith in place of your fear.

And when you ask and ask, and ask some more, you still don't see it given to you.

God, where is my acceptance letter? Where is my healing? Where is the strength I begged you for?

You see, even when we don't see it He is working, and the Christ-minded, reveling interpretation of this verse from Matthew is that God's goodness in your life is a Promise. If it's not good, it's not God. And what you ask of Him will come, but only if you remain full of faith while you wait.

A pastor that I love recently illustrated this word through an interaction he's had with his young child.

Here is my interpretation of that illustration:

The Christmas season is especially magical when you witness it through the eyes of little children. Their faces erupt with light as they tear through their gifts on Christmas morning. "I've always wanted one of these," they might exclaim. And as you bask in their excitement and tangibly experience the joy inside the room, you almost forget that for the past month and a half they have asked and asked, and asked some more for this one thing they have always wanted. (If you have a child, I feel for you girl, because you are existing amongst the whines and begs as we speak!) But unbeknownst to this little child, you have already wrapped the exact thing that they have always wanted. That they have asked, asked, and asked you for. It has been tied with a bow, dressed with a tag and their name. It is already resting beneath the tree, awaiting the moment to be revealed to the child.

You are the child. And God is the Father who has intently wrapped the exact blessing that you have continued to ask and ask, and ask Him for. It has been tied with a bow, dressed with a tag and your name. It is already resting at its place on your journey, awaiting the moment to be revealed to you.

Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking, and while your wait, keep faithful.

"Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago."

- Isaiah 25:1